March 23 Movement

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Congo's M23 rebels, the latest in a succession of militias responsible for horrific attacks on civilians in the east of the country, effectively surrendered Tuesday when they announced that they were laying down their arms and disbanding. The announcement comes after the Democratic Republic of Congo's army heavily bombarded two hills overnight, Chanzu and Runyonyi, the last rebel strongholds. In recent days the rebels abandoned a swath of territory, including many towns and villages, after being overpowered by Congolese army attacks. M23, an ethnic Tutsi militia, has been led and armed by Rwandan forces who often crossed into Congo,...

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